LAURIE WEIR
Never in his 50 years in municipal government has Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom witnessed such an unprecedented act of insubordination. On Nov. 12, he reproached councillors who turned their backs on Wendy Alford, a delegate who spoke at the Nov. 4 council meeting regarding the integrity commissioner investigations into councillors Paula Banks and Jeff Banks.
“It was most disrespectful to a taxpayer,” Hoogenboom said. “I will put you on notice that if this reoccurs, you will be asked to leave the council chambers. In the past week, I have heard from dozens of citizens outraged by this action. As long as I am in this chair, I expect civility in this chamber.”
Alford spoke on behalf of the Rideau Lakes Grassroots Group (RLGG) to present their complaint and protest regarding the Bankses’ violation of the Code of Conduct. (Jeff Banks was found not to be in violation, while Paula Banks was docked 16 days’ pay for subsequent breaches.)
“Complaints are anonymous for a reason,” Alford said. “To protect complainants because councillors have influence and power over decisions regarding their constituents or employees.”
Alford emphasized that the public should be made aware of what she called the lack of accountability demonstrated by some councillors.
“It should be noted that the allegations by the RLGG were not denied,” she said. “In response to our complaint, the Bankses provided a 54-page litany of excuses as to why they felt entitled to call RLGG a hate group and to violate various sections of the Code of Conduct.”
Alford challenged the Bankses’ defense, saying the reasons behind their actions were not acceptable justification.
The issue stems from a blue flyer generated by the group and distributed to Rideau Lakes residents last year. Alford explained that the complaints had been submitted anonymously to protect the complainants from potential retaliation. “Complaints are anonymous for a reason,” she reiterated, highlighting the risks individuals face when holding public officials accountable.
The integrity commissioner’s report found that Jeff Banks was not in violation of the Code of Conduct, while Paula Banks was docked 16 days’ pay for her breaches. Alford dismissed the Bankses’ defense, emphasizing that “why they did or said something is not a defense.”
During the subsequent question period, no councillors asked Alford any questions. When the motion to accept the delegation’s information was tabled, it was voted down 5-4, prompting Hoogenboom to address the matter at the municipal services committee meeting on Nov. 12.
Paula Banks questioned Hoogenboom’s leadership, suggesting that he should not have allowed the delegation. She also asked how Alford had obtained the confidential 54-page defense strategy, which had only been sent to councillors, the integrity commissioner, and the mayor.
Hoogenboom responded that he had not leaked the information.
Jeff Banks expressed his disappointment that the delegation was allowed to proceed, stating, “That’s not what a delegation is for — to come here and rip councillors. I don’t have to look at her and I don’t have to listen to her, but I will challenge you if you ask me to leave a council meeting because I swing my chair a certain way… I don’t think that was appropriate how that was handled.”
Jeff Banks also voiced concerns about the leaking of confidential documents. “It needs to stop, and I’ve asked you that a hundred times,” he said. “It’s getting out of hand.”
Coun. Sue Dunfield and Coun. Deborah Anne Hutchings also voiced opposition to the delegation and looked to the mayor to stop it.
When the motion to accept for information the delegation by Alford was tabled, it was voted down 5-4.
